Hanjo is a survivor
When Hanjo was only seven days old, he had to undergo open heart surgery that lasted eight hours.
Hanjo van Niekerk is 11-years-old and was born with a congenital heart defect and Coarctation of the aorta.
Coarctation of the aorta is the narrowing of the aorta.
This is a congenital condition where the aorta narrows in the area where the ductus arteriosus inserts.
When Hanjo was only seven days old, he had to undergo open heart surgery that lasted eight hours.
When children are born with this heart defect, they only have a 50 per cent chance of survival.
Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth.
These defects can involve:
· The interior walls of the heart.
· The valves inside the heart.
· The arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart or the body.
Congenital heart defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart.
These are the most common types of birth defect and affect eight out of every 1 000 newborns.
The diagnosis and treatment of complex heart defects have greatly improved.
Doctors told Hanjo’s mother, Ms Henriëtte van Niekerk, that they could not guarantee that any operation would be successful or that he would survive.
Despite this shocking news, Hanjo’s parents had no choice but to go ahead with the surgery.
Today he is a healthy boy, but still has to visit the cardiologist every year.
“When he falls ill, we have to be extra careful and take good care of him.
“He is not on a strict diet, but knows he has to watch what he eats,” said Ms Van Niekerk.
Hanjo enjoys playing cricket and tennis and is not negative about the fact that he has to live with the consequences of being born with the heart defect.
Ms Van Niekerk said: “The sad truth is that there is not a lot of support for parents with children with heart defects, especially in South Africa.
“Many parents do not want to talk about it at all and others feel it is better to be open about it and help and support other parents.”
It is because of this that Ms Van Niekerk regularly posts updates about Hanjo, especially during Congenital Heart Disease Week.
Parents who need help or more information, can visit www.heartkids.org.au or send Ms Van Niekerk an email at henriette@phpgroup.co.za.
